Groups needed for care website

A NATIONAL charity is on the hunt for local community groups to help improve lives in Oldham.

In Control wants charities, support groups and community organisations to join a groundbreaking website that will revolutionise the way people receive and manage their social care services.

Shop 4 Support is a web-based system that allows people who handle their own social care funding to view payments online, order services and seek information and advice.

The site is about to complete a successful pilot scheme, in which Oldham Council was one of only six local authorities selected to take part.

Organisers say the results have been extremely positive, with 14 individuals currently managing their social care payments through the system.

Now, the site needs to recruit additional service providers, so that it can offer the widest range of support possible when it is officially launched in the next couple of weeks.

Caroline Tomlinson, Consumer Support Director at In Control said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for small, local groups to get their message out to a wider audience.

“We are looking for organisations that have something to offer people in the community.

“It could be anything from a support group for people with disabilities, to a group of elderly people that organise a regular bingo night.

“It is all about bringing together the information about these local services in one place, making it easier for people to access what they need.”

It is designed for people who receive what is known as an individual budget, meaning they receive an agreed amount of funds for their social care needs and have the freedom to spend it in any way they choose.

Ms Tomlinson added: “Individual budgets allow people to take control over how the money allocated for their support is spent.

“Until now, there has been no central resource to help them manage these decisions.

“The Shop 4 Support portal will directly help people plan their social care needs, making the whole process much more user-friendly.”

Interested groups can email her at caroline.tomlinson@in-control.org.uk or call the in Control support line on 0121-708 3031.